**Euthanasia Laws in the United States**

In the United States, the practice of euthanasia remains illegal under federal law. The term "euthanasia" is often defined as the deliberate act of hastening the death of a person through the administration of life-ending substances directly by a physician or another third party with the explicit intention to end a life. This is distinguished from assisted suicide where the individual who wishes to die administers the life-ending substance themselves but may be assisted by a physician or others legally.

### Legal Distinctions and Terminologies

The distinctions between euthanasia, assisted suicide, and other end-of-life practices are significant under U.S. law. Euthanasia can be further categorized into passive and active euthanasia. Passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing treatments necessary for the continuation of life. While passive euthanasia, particularly in the form of withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, is legally acceptable when following the patient’s wishes in the United States, active euthanasia involves taking explicit steps to cause the patient's death and is illegal across the country.

Assisted suicide, where a physician or another person helps another individual to cause their own death, holds a varied legal status across different states. As of 2023, states such as Oregon, Washington, Vermont, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine, and New Mexico have Death with Dignity Acts permitting medically assisted suicide under specific conditions. These conditions often include the requirement that the patient must be terminally ill and mentally competent to make healthcare decisions.

### Historical Context and Landmark Cases

The conversation around euthanasia and assisted suicide in the United States has been heavily influenced by several high-profile lawsuits and legislative actions. One landmark case was that of Karen Ann Quinlan in 1976, which brought to prominence issues of life support and bioethical decision-making. Another significant case was that of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, often known as "Dr. Death," who claimed to have assisted over 100 patients in dying and was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999. His actions spurred national debates about the legal and ethical ramifications of assisted suicide.

### Ethical and Moral Considerations

The opposition to euthanasia in the U.S. often stems from various ethical, moral, and religious grounds. Many argue that legalizing euthanasia could lead to unintended consequences, including pressure on vulnerable individuals to end their lives prematurely. It also raises serious ethical dilemmas about the role of physicians as healers. Supporters, however, argue for the right of an individual to choose to end life with dignity instead of enduring prolonged suffering, advocating that euthanasia can be a form of palliative care when no reasonable alternatives are available.

### Conclusion

As societal attitudes continue to evolve, laws regarding euthanasia and assisted suicide in the United States show a dynamic and complex legal landscape. While the direct administration of lethal substances by a physician (euthanasia) remains uniformly illegal, the legality of assisted suicide varies significantly by state, reflecting diverse ethical views and cultural attitudes towards death and dying. These conditions underscore the importance of continued public discussion and legislative examination to address the ethical, legal, and medical issues related to the end of life care.